Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALIPZYL’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALIPZYL’, particularly characterized by small, dark red flowers with few light reddish-purple flecks at the center and dark purple-red lips, a convex flower shape in lateral view, whiskers with dotted tips, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALIPZYL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALIPZYL’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with many attractive, small, dark red flowers with few light reddish-purple flecks at the center and dark purple-red lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALIPZYL’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in October 2012 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-4404’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘PHALDUKAI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,157).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in July 2015. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Sep. 19, 2019 (Application no. 2019/2299), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALIPZYL’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALIPZYL’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALIPZYL’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Small, dark red flowers with few light reddish-purple flecks         at the center and dark purple-red lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is convex; and     -   3) Whiskers tips are dotted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 45-week-old plants in November 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHALIPZYL’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALIPZYL’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALIPZYL’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALIPZYL’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in November 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 9-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 18-20 weeks, followed by transplantation to 9-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 25 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 6 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 11 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 42 weeks in 9-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALIPZYL’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-4404’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALDUKAI’ (U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 28,157). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something between RHS 190B             and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (RHS 145A) with a hint of purplish-red (RHS             N77B) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 18-20             weeks. After transplantation into 9-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 40 to 42 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with raceme and panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 40.0 cm to 45.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 29.0 cm to 31.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 8 to 10 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 14.0 cm             to 16.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: Toward apex. Shape: Obovate. Base             shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse unequal. Leaf             blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal             position): Between 20 degrees and 35 degrees. Leaf margin:             Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A with a touch of             reddish-brown (RHS 200A) at margin toward the tip. Lower             surface: RHS 147B and purple-brown (something in between RHS             N77A and 200A). Texture: Upper surface: A little bit rough.             Lower surface: Smooth. Thickness: 1.9 mm to 2.4 mm.             Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of             the midvein: Upper surface: Reddish-brown (RHS 200A). Lower             surface: Purple-brown (something in between RHS 200A and             N77A). -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—9 to 13.         -   Length.—40.0 cm to 45.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200A) and green (RHS 146C).         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme and panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 190.0 mm to             230.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 7 to 8 months             after planting in a 9-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 48.0 mm to 53.0 mm. Diameter: 58.0 mm to             63.0 mm. Depth of lip: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 11 to 13 weeks.         -   Flower shape in lateral view.—Convex.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 19.0 mm to             21.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellow-green (RHS 146D) and purple (RHS N77A) with             dark red shade (RHS 183B) and dark red stripes (RHS 187B).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Rounded to emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Moderately to             strongly undulated. Length (from base to tip): 26.0 mm to             28.0 mm. Width: 32.0 mm to 34.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the petal: Toward the base. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Dark red (something in             between RHS 187B and 187C). Over color: Few light             reddish-purple flecks (RHS N78D) at the base. Lower surface:             Basic color: Very light purple (RHS 76D) at the base. Over             color: Very light purple (RHS 76B) and diluting             reddish-purple (RHS N79D) toward the margin. Number of             spots, flecks, and stripes on the petals (upper surface):             Few flecks at the base. Color of spots, flecks, and stripes             on the petals (upper surface): RHS N78D. Density of netting             of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting             (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.             Margin: Moderately undulated. Length (from base to tip):             30.0 mm to 32.0 mm. Width: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm. Position of             the broadest part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color             (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Dark red             (something in between RHS 187A and 187B). Over color:             Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple             (something in between RHS N78C and N79D). Over color: Light             yellow-green (something in between RHS 145C and 145D).             Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal             sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting             of the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the             netting: Not applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from base to tip): 31.0 mm             to 33.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Position of the             broadest part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color             (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Dark red             (something in between RHS 187A and 187B). Over color:             Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (RHS             N79D). Over color: Light yellow-green (something in between             RHS 145C and 145D); dark red-purple midvein (RHS 187C)             toward the tip. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on             the lateral sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density             of netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None.             Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 13.0             mm to 15.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark red (RHS 187B) with             light greenish-yellow (RHS 8B) dotted tips (RHS 187B).             Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly             spatulate. Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 17.0 mm             to 19.0 mm. Width: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Touch of light greenish-yellow (RHS 4D) and white (RHS             NN155C) with dark red fleck (RHS 187A) at the base; dark red             (RHS 59A) and dark purplish-red (RHS N79C) toward the             margin. Lower surface: White (RHS NN155C) with a hint of             light greenish-yellow (RHS 4D) at the base toward margin on             one side; dark red (RHS 59A) on the other side and dark             purplish-red (RHS N79C) toward the tip. Number of spots,             flecks, and stripes on the lateral lobe: One fleck. Color of             spots, flecks, and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 187A.             Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the             netting: Not applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 17.0             mm to 19.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Red (RHS 59A) at the base; dark purplish-red (RHS             N79C) toward whiskers. Lower surface: Red (RHS 59A) at the             base; purplish-red (RHS N78A) toward whiskers. Number of             spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots             and stripes on the apical lobe: Not applicable. Density of             netting of the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting:             None.         -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.             Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:             Light greenish-yellow (something in between RES 4C and 4D)             on sides toward tips and dark red (RHS 187B) at the middle. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10 0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to             6.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C) at the base and             reddish-purple region (RHS N78B) toward the tip.         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. Color:             Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to 2.3             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Diameter: 2.4 mm to             2.7 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Light yellow-green             (something in between RHS 145C and 145D) with a touch of             dark purplish-red (something in between RHS N78B and N79C)             toward the base and light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) toward             the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALIPZYL’ differs from the female parent plant ‘01-4404’ (unpatented), in that ‘PHALIPZYL’ has a convex flower shape in lateral view, whereas ‘01-4404’ has flat flower shape in lateral view. Additionally, ‘PHALIPZYL’ has larger flowers than ‘01-4404’.

‘PHALIPZYL’ differs from the male parent plant ‘PHALDUKAI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,157) in that ‘PHALIPZYL’ has a convex flower shape in lateral view, whereas ‘PHALDUKAI’ has a concave flower shape in lateral view. Additionally, ‘PHALIPZYL’ has smaller flowers than ‘PHALDUKAI’.

‘PHALIPZYL’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALFENCK’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,460) and ‘PHALFIQALO’ (unpatented). ‘PHALIPZYL’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFENCK’ in that ‘PHALIPZYL’ has weakly spatulate lateral lobes, whereas ‘PHALFENCK’ has spatulate lateral lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALIPZYL’ has smaller flowers and shorter leaves than ‘PHALFENCK’.

‘PHALIPZYL’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFIQALO’ in that ‘PHALIPZYL’ has triangular apical lobes, whereas ‘PHALFIQALO’ has ovate apical lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALIPZYL’ has larger flowers, longer whiskers, and longer leaves than ‘PHALFIQALO’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALIPZYL’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 